Record of seven new host-plants for Phycodes radiata Ochsenheimer (Lepidoptera: Brachodidae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JAE.5.4.16-21Keywords:
Fig leaf roller, Ficus retusa, F. mysorensis, F. microcarpa, F. palmeri, F. rumphii, F. krisnae, F. infectoria, Host plantsAbstract
The fig leaf roller moth, Phycodes radiata is a sporadic and polyphagous pest known to infect various Ficus plants of the family Moraceae, causing significant foliar damage worldwide. The present study documents the discovery of seven new host plants for P. radiata through field surveys and laboratory investigations in urban and rural areas of western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab states of India respectively. In the present study, Ficus retusa, F. mysorensis, F. microcarpa, F. palmeri, F. rumphii, F. krisnae, and F. infectoria were reported to be the new host plants for Phycodes radiata from Bulandshahr, Saharanpur, Meerut, Hapur, Muzaffar Nagar, and Baraut districts of western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab states of Northern India. P. radiata is a regular pest of these host plants that is active from January to November. The larvae tie the leaf lamina with silk thread and roll the leaves to feed inside. Maximum infestation and damage were recorded on F. retusa in all the study areas. Our findings expand the known host range of this pest and highlight the importance of continued monitoring and research to mitigate its impact on Ficus plants.
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